BuiltWorlds, 20 N. Wacker Drive, 12th Floor, Chicago, IL (2026)

06/03/2026

We've heard that data centers are the next big opportunity for construction--but what does that actually look like?

In a telling article, The Wall Street Journal revealed that spending for data center builds in the US is projected to surpass what was spent over decades on the interstate highway program, one of the largest public works projects in American history.

"These projects are being investing in at a scale in which we haven't seen in a very long time, if ever," DPR Construction Prefabrication Technology Leader Justin Schwaiger told us in an exclusive interview.

For Justin, after nearly 20 years in the industry spent helping AEC teams build both structures and solutions, this moment of unprecedented AI infrastructure spending spells a real opportunity for proponents of offsite and industrialized construction methods. Prefabrication and modular construction are particularly effective avenues for data center builds. By building offsite, owners are able to repeat the design process with a high level of uniformity across projects and address labor scarcity in places where fiber connectivity and energy are readily available.

"I think that over the next five to 10 years, these data center projects will establish that 'prefab first' mindset into companies like DPR and others that are building and designing data centers," Justin said. "The change in thinking will continue forward after the AI boom (is) done, however many years into the future that is."

We'll have the opportunity to hear more from Justin at next week's Paris Global Summit, where he'll be discussing opportunities and strategies for companies looking to scale industrialized and modular construction alongside Andrew Dewdney, head of modern methods of construction at Kier Group, Pedro Andrade, director of innovation at Grupo Casais, and Emanuel Heisenberg, founder & CEO of ecoworks.

Check out Justin's full interview to read more on building a prefab tech stack, the state of the offsite construction sector, and supply chain trends: https://builtworlds.com/news/scaling-prefabrication-methods-data-center-builds-qa-dpr-construction-prefabrication-technology-leader-justin-schwaiger/

Join us next week to attend the Scaling Industrialized & Modular Construction panel discussion at Les Salons Hoche. Link in comments 👇

06/02/2026

In just a week, the BuiltWorlds team will be gathering in Paris for bread, cheese, and exclusive programming exploring the state of innovation in AEC in France and around the world.

We're putting the finishing touches on this year's Paris Global Summit, a leadership event exclusive to our membership that fosters collaboration and networking with leaders from around the industry in a small, curated group setting.

As promised, we're thrilled to share the second part of the agenda for the main day of programming happening at Les Salons Hoche. See the full agenda, including details on site visits, innovation programming at Leonard, and boat reception on the Seine: https://builtworlds.com/event/2026-paris-summit/

𝐑𝐨𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐲 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐉𝐨𝐛𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞 with Dr. Anas Bataw (Zacua Ventures) || Learn more about Zacua Ventures' collaboration on the world's first residential villa delivered entirely through robotic construction systems.

𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 & 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
Speakers: Justin Schwaiger (DPR Construction), Emanuel Heisenberg (ecoworks), Andrew Dewdney (Kier Group), and Pedro Andrade (Grupo Casais) || Explore design-for-manufacture principals, supply chain logistics, and the role of industrialized methods in solving the global housing crisis and ever-present labor shortage.

𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 & 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 with Corinne Bulota (Dassault Systèmes) || Examine how smart infrastructure is reshaping the full energy ecosystem, from generation to consumption through digital twins, IoT, and advanced analytics.

𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬: 𝐍𝐨𝐰 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 moderated by Matthew Gray (Graycor and BuiltWorlds) with speakers: Emmanuel Di Giacomo (Autodesk), Rui Coutinho (Mota-Engil), Clara López Pliego (ACCIONA), and Karin Formigoni (Arcadis) || Close out the Summit with a forward-looking panel featuring the world's most influential "Innovators" in the sector as they share predictions for the next decade of AEC tech and disruption.

06/01/2026

📅 Mark your calendars: BuiltWorlds' AI/ML Conference is returning to Austin, Texas, in February 2027!

The annual AI/ML Conference explores the growing and increasingly complicated landscape of artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies in the AEC/O industry. With $14.7 billion recorded in AI-related venture deals over the last year, this role and capabilities of AI/ML technologies are evolving rapidly within the built world ecosystem making this event a powerful opportunity for contractors looking to enhance their workflows and workforce with cutting-edge AI-powered solutions, explore proven strategies for successful implementation, and connect with AI thought leaders from across industries.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐈/𝐌𝐋 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐰𝐨 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬, 𝐬𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐰! Register and learn more: https://builtworlds.com/event/2027-ai-ml-conference/

𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟕 𝐀𝐈/𝐌𝐋 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞? 𝐋𝐞𝐭'𝐬 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐤!
Reach out at https://share.hsforms.com/113217fKHRtyYfzz1U-hosA7rku

Looking forward to seeing everyone in Austin to continue exploring AI/ML's place in our industry. 👋

05/29/2026

In an industry that stretches back thousands of years, BIM technology only just entered the scene. But, its impact can't be ignored.

While early conversations centered on adoption challenges, interoperability, and proving ROI, it only took a few decades for the shift from 2D drawings to model-based coordination to become mainstream. By construction's standards, BIM technology transformed how teams design and deliver projects in the blink of eye.

Today, BIM and digital modeling are the foundation for increasingly connected digital workflows across the built environment.

Derived primarily from insights gathered in the recently released 2026 Project Software Benchmarking Report, along with additional industry research, member feedback, and case studies, the BIM & Digital Modeling category of the this year's Project Software Top 50 highlights and recognizes the platforms shaping that evolution.

What’s especially notable is how BIM is evolving beyond design coordination into a connected ecosystem powering scheduling, logistics, simulation, digital twins, AI workflows, and lifecycle asset management. The industry conversation has clearly shifted from “Should we adopt BIM?” to “How do we maximize value from connected digital workflows?”

Recognition like this highlights not only the software platforms driving innovation, but also the organizations across architecture, engineering, construction, and operations pushing digital delivery standards forward every day.

👏 🎉 Please join us in congratulating the teams behind these innovative BIM and Digital Modeling solutions:

Autodesk Forma Site Design
Solibri, Inc.
ALLPLAN (a Nemetschek Group company)
Trimble Inc. Connect
Revizto
Synchro (Bentley Systems)
Fuzor (Kalloc Studios)
Tekla Structures (Trimble)
Vectorworks (a Nemetschek Group company)
Revit (Autodesk)
Navisworks (Autodesk)
cmBuilder.io
Dalux

See the full 2026 Project Software Top 50 List: https://builtworlds.com/insights/2026-project-software-top-50/

05/28/2026

The 2026 Construction Tech Conference is just over six weeks away and we've got yet another round of incredible industry speakers to spotlight!

As our largest leadership event, the Construction Tech Conference explores the full breadth of emerging technologies innovating AEC. Take a look at the latest additions to this year's speaker lineup and get a sneak peek of what they'll be talking about:

Brandon Milner (EllisDon) will speak on an afternoon fireside chat addressing how to engineer a bulletproof GC-Sub partnership.

Leah Royalty (Dysruptek Haskell) and Mark Driscoll (AMC Bridge, Inc.) will be leading a breakout discussion exploring how to engineer a digital methodology to automate sequencing and logistics.

Andrew Woodward (Suffolk Construction) will lead a breakout discussion detailing how Suffolk streamlined change orders and T&M workflows to the benefit of every project stakeholder.

Dustin Schafer (Henderson Engineers) will be speaking on a panel discussion exploring how leaders are leveraging predictive analytics and behavioral assessments to empower tradespeople to build their own digital solutions.

Lisa Mohapatra (Bidblox) will pitch her company's AI-powered precon and bid management platform during our signature Demo Day Competition.

David Meyers AIA PMP CxA (Burns & McDonnell) will lead a lightning round analyzing the shift from reactive task tracking to integrated digital lifecycles and exploring the future of digital commissioning.

Chris Zargarbashi (Swinerton) joins a panel discussion that will assess readiness for AI/ML integration across leading construction firms.

Jorge Tubella (Bechtel Corporation) will facilitate a closed-door, collaborative working group session for members of the Equipment & Robotics research track.

Khalid Abounassif (EllisDon) will facilitate a similar closed-door, collaborative working group session for members of the Construction Tech research track.

Ariel Castillo (Miller Davis) joins the panel discussion looking to outline a blueprint for building resilient implementation roadmaps that balance site-level utility with long-term data interoperability.

Jared Christman (Hays Electrical Services) will speak on a panel exploring how industry stakeholders are navigating AI-powered risk at enterprise scale.

💻 Check out the event page for full abstracts and to see who else is speaking at Construction Tech Conference 2026: https://builtworlds.com/event/2026-construction-tech-conference/

05/27/2026

Strip any building down to its essential parts, and every project begins with materials. Concrete, aggregates, insulation, glass, drywall, and steel form the foundation of the built environment, meaning that innovation at this level has the potential to touch every jobsite.

The companies recognized as Global Building Materials Innovators are literally reshaping the built environment from the ground up. Through circular construction strategies, breakthrough products, AI-enabled operations, and ambitious global expansion, these leaders are redefining how building materials are produced, delivered, and deployed.

Please join us in congratulating this year's Global Innovators in the Building Materials category! 🏆

TITAN Group — Operating for more than 120 years, Belgium-based TITAN is a key international player in the building and infrastructure materials industry. Recently, the group deployed an AI-based real-time logistics optimizer in its Florida ready-mix business, which it describes as a first of its kind in the industry.

CEMEX — Headquartered in Mexico, CEMEX is one of the world's largest building materials companies, producing and distributing cement, ready-mix concrete, and aggregates to more than 50 countries. Notably, the company has closed two significant US acquisitions, Couch Aggregates, LLC and Omega Products International, as part of its 2025-2027 strategic plan.

Holcim — One of the world's largest construction materials companies, Holcim produces cement, aggregates, and ready-mix concrete. With 18 acquisitions completed in 2025 and a 23.5% increase in construction demolition recycling, Holcim is executing aggressively on its NextGen Growth 2030 strategy.

Saint-Gobain — Founded in 1665, Saint-Gobain employs 162,000 workers around the world. The company recently launched its "Lead & Grow" 2026-2030 strategic plan with $14 billion earmarked for investments and acquisitions over that time period.

Knauf — Family-owned German manufacturer Knauf is one of the world's largest producers of drywall, insulation, and ceiling systems. The company reached an industry milestone in early 2026, becoming the first fiberglass insulation manufacturer to eliminate formaldehyde entirely across its product portfolio by replacing traditional binders with its plant-based ECOSE Technology.

CRH Americas — With a network of 80,000 employees across 28 countries, CRH is a global leader in building materials and manufacturing, focusing on aggregates, asphalt, cement and more. In 2025, the company completed 38 acquisitions, including Eco Material Technologies.

Learn more about each of these Global Innovators and how they were selected: https://builtworlds.com/insights/6th-annual-global-innovators/

We'll be celebrating the 6th cohort of BuiltWorlds Global Innovators in just a few weeks at the upcoming Paris Global Summit with an awards ceremony and reception hosted by Saint-Gobain in their beautiful showcase Winter Garden. We hope you'll join us! Register to attend: https://builtworlds.com/event/2026-paris-summit/

05/26/2026

We're officially only TWO WEEKS AWAY from the 2026 Paris Global Summit! 🇫🇷

The BuiltWorlds Global Summit series returns to explore the broad spectrum of trends, challenges, and opportunities currently defining innovation in AEC, both in Europe and around the world. This members-only leadership event is designed to foster global collaboration, featuring:

• Site visits to 3DS Velizy Campus and 's "Charge As You Drive" test zone led by VINCI Autoroutes and VINCI Concessions

• A full day of programming at , VINCI's platform dedicated to foresight and innovation

• Our signature Demo Day Competition featuring pitches from Temelion, LOGIC Building Systems, MEPbrain, Volve Technologies, Strategic Building Innovation · bimSCORE, and Neuroject, along with insights from a panel of industry expert judges from Kajima, Presidio Advisors, Cemex Ventures, Trimble Inc., and AQAR عقار

• A keynote delivered by 's Sean Young

• Evening networking reception on the L'Olivia Barge on the Seine

• Awards ceremony and reception celebrating Global Innovators at the Winter Garden in the Tower in La Défense

• Insightful panel sessions and workshops at Les Salons Hoche developed by BuiltWorlds' programming team

𝑵𝒐𝒖𝒔 𝒂𝒗𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒉𝒂̂𝒕𝒆 𝒅𝒆 𝒗𝒐𝒖𝒔 𝒗𝒐𝒊𝒓 𝒂̀ 𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒔!

05/26/2026

We're officially only TWO WEEKS AWAY from the 2026 Paris Global Summit! 🇫🇷

The BuiltWorlds Global Summit series returns to explore the broad spectrum of trends, challenges, and opportunities currently defining innovation in AEC, both in Europe and around the world. This members-only leadership event is designed to foster global collaboration, featuring:

• Site visits to Dassault Systèmes 3DS Velizy Campus and VINCI's "Charge As You Drive" test zone led by VINCI Autoroutes and VINCI Concessions

• A full day of programming at Leonard, VINCI's platform dedicated to foresight and innovation

• Our signature Demo Day Competition featuring pitches from Temelion, LOGIC Building Systems, MEPbrain, Volve Technologies, Strategic Building Innovation, and Neuroject, along with insights from a panel of industry expert judges from Kajima, Presidio Advisors, Cemex Ventures, Trimble Inc., and AQAR

• A keynote delivered by NVIDIA's Sean Young

• Evening networking reception on the L'Olivia Barge on the Seine

• Awards ceremony and reception celebrating Global Innovators at the Winter Garden in the Saint-Gobain Tower in La Défense

• Insightful panel sessions and workshops at Les Salons Hoche developed by BuiltWorlds' programming team

𝑵𝒐𝒖𝒔 𝒂𝒗𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒉𝒂̂𝒕𝒆 𝒅𝒆 𝒗𝒐𝒖𝒔 𝒗𝒐𝒊𝒓 𝒂̀ 𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒔!

BuiltWorlds members can reserve their spot here (must be logged in to BuiltWorlds account): https://builtworlds.com/event/2026-paris-summit/
Not a BuiltWorlds member? Join us in Paris with a limited-time digital membership and ticket bundle: https://builtworlds.com/take-advantage-of-a-limited-time-only-membership-offering/

05/25/2026

Mission-ready infrastructure requires mission-ready collaboration.

At last month's Global Summit in Chicago, one message came through loud and clear: the pace of innovation is accelerating—and the organizations that build, modernize, and secure critical infrastructure can’t afford to operate in silos.

A unique panel titled "Mission-Ready Infrastructure: Partnering with the Department of War to Build the Future," featured John Michael Nurthen (Lt. Cdr U.S. Navy Civil Engineer Corps, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC)), Matthew Park (chief AI officer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Headquarters), Paul Ruffo (chief technology officer at National Institute of Building Sciences), and Nic Ivy (E&C AI integration lead for the US Army Corps of Engineers). This panel discussion explored how leaders from America's Navy and GoArmy, and across the built environment are rethinking everything from procurement to project delivery through AI, data infrastructure, and faster, more adaptive partnerships between government and industry.

Yet the conversation wasn’t centered on technology alone. The real challenge is ensuring innovation is guided with intention, accountability, and a shared commitment to mission success.

"Organizations like BuiltWorlds serve a vital role in challenging the status quo and improving the built ecosystem as a whole," John Michael shared. "If government, industry, and practitioners do not play a deliberate and proactive role in iterating, refining, and guiding the right use cases, delivery models, and integration frameworks, we will miss the mark. Success will require consistent collaboration, persistence and, at times, patience and sacrifice—all anchored to a clear North Star: mission success over individual success."

As we recognize Memorial Day across the United States, we pause to honor the men and women who gave their lives in service to the country, reflecting on the responsibility all of us share in building a stronger, safer future worthy of their sacrifice. 🇺🇸

05/22/2026

In a moment defined by rapid transformation across the built environment, a select group of firms hasn't just adapted to new technology. Instead, they are helping redraw the blueprint for what the future of design and engineering looks like.

From climate resilience software and AI-powered project delivery to landmark infrastructure shaping entire regions, this year’s Design & Engineering winners in the BuiltWorlds Global Innovator Awards are proving that innovation is embedded in the way the built world gets imagined, designed, and constructed.

Congratulations to the Design & Engineering cohort of BuiltWorlds Global Innovators! 🎉

Arup — This employee-owned engineering and design firm is known for its work on some of the world's most complex and iconic structures, infrastructure projects, and built environments. Recently, Arup launched Class 3 Technologies, a climate risk and resilience software company.

WSP — With approximately 73,000 employees across more than 40 countries, WSP is a global engineering and professional services firm delivering technical and strategic advice across sectors. WSP's acquisition of TRC Companies, Inc. fundamentally reshaped the North American market.

Sidara — A privately owned international holding group encompassing nine brands including Dar Al Handasah Nazih Taleb & Partners and Perkins&Will, Sidara delivers engineering, architecture, planning, and project management services across more than 60 countries. Notably, the firm is leading the design for Africa's largest planned airport in Ethiopia, partnering with Zaha Hadid Architects and Pascall+Watson on the landmark project.

AECOM — The U.S.-based multinational infrastructure consulting firm supports both public and private clients throughout the full project lifecycle. AECOM is driving innovation by embedding proprietary AI into its core design and engineering workflows through its $390M acquisition of CONSIGLI, signaling a shift toward more automated and data-driven project delivery.

HDR — A 100% employee-owned professional services firm specializing in architecture, engineering, environmental, and construction services across 15 countries, HDR ranked 5th among the largest employee-owned companies in the US in 2025, the first time an architecture and engineering firm has reached that position.

Arcadis — Arcadis specializes in sustainable design, infrastructure development, and environmental solutions, supporting projects across multiple regions and markets. Currently, the company is advancing its innovation strategy by expanding into high-growth, data- and infrastructure-intensive markets through targeted acquisitions, including WSP Infrastructure Engineering GmbH and KUA Group.

Read more about each of these innovative companies and see the rest of the groups recognized in the 6th Annual BuiltWorlds Global Innovator Awards: https://builtworlds.com/insights/6th-annual-global-innovators/

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